Just Stories CL

Based on previously published law review articles by University of Pittsburgh Law School professor Ross, this book is a reasonably effective, if brief, introduction to radical legal scholarship that aims to uncover inherent prejudices in American law. For example, Ross criticizes the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision by noting that, while the court acknowledged the harm of segregation, it neglected to place any blame on its white supporters. Such acceptance of ""the rhetorical theme of white innocence,"" he argues, has continued in conservative court decisions regarding race--though Ross neglects to critique the strained rhetoric of affirmative action supporters. Contrasting the tax system with the welfare system, Ross contends that laws assume those on welfare cheat and that regular taxpayers don't. Although he explains that feminist legal scholars have prompted courts to recognize women's experiences in refashioning rape and sexual harassment laws, his call for each reader to ""take sides"" is confused by his own acknowledgment of a split between liberal feminism and radical legal feminism. His basic point, however, that we should scrutinize how ""law draws its coherence from dominant cultural narratives,"" is worthy advice for students and scholars. (July)